2016 NPL Youth Team Preview: Round 11

The Adelaide United Youth Team will host Adelaide Olympic in Round 11 of the 2016 National Premier League at Elite Systems Football Centre on Saturday night.

Coming off of a disappointing few weeks, the spirit of the Young Reds has once again soared to new heights after a great performance against Campbelltown City, but were unfortunate to fall short, losing 2-1.

United’s Youth Team Head Coach, Mark Jones, was pleased with the way his team played last week against one of the best sides in the competition, establishing a strong belief that if this form can continue, there is a possibility that his Reds can win more games.

“Leading up to the game against Campbelltown City, we focused training on our defensive responses and limiting chances,” Jones said. “Working that fraction harder, making quick transitions, and playing a complete round of football for 90 minutes is what we aim to achieve.

“Last week’s game produced many positive signs for this week’s match against Adelaide Olympic and if we continue to work hard and get behind the ball with intensity as we did against Campbelltown, we have a good chance at winning.

“We didn’t concede any goals through set pieces, which is what we have wanted to achieve over the past weeks.

“Emphasising our defensive structure more will help us to not concede those easy goals or switch off, as it can cost us.

“The boys have been encouraging each other and are confident in one another’s abilities, the respect within the locker room definitely helps out on the field.”

Ahead of the clash against Adelaide Olympic, Jones noted that their next opponents have been in great form as of late, and that the Young Reds will need to work hard all game to attain three points.

“We have to approach this game the way we did against Campbelltown,” Jones continued. “Adelaide Olympic have strengthened their side and have come off with wins the past few weeks against good teams.

“We will have to work hard to stay in the game, and bring out everything that was worked on in training into that match, and play like we did last week.

“I believe that we have players in the Youth Team that are close to playing at a professional level, and I would like to see this continue, for themselves as players and for the team to be successful.”

Adelaide United Youth Team will face Adelaide Olympic in Round 11 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League on Saturday, 14 May at the Elite Systems Football Centre. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACST.